WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University men's hockey team does not kick off the 2023-24 season until late October, when the Cardinals look to write a memorable chapter in the program's storied history.
 
And while the Cardinals have to wait until an Oct. 28 date against Lake Forest to kick off their quest for a conference championship, the squad will have the opportunity to pen a once-in-a-lifetime prologue in August.
 
The Cardinals will embark on a nine-day tour of Italy, while also playing a pair of contests against teams in Switzerland. In addition, the Saint Mary's student-athletes will have the opportunity to earn a Cultural Engagement credit through this experience.
 
"Our hockey program has been so blessed these last few years with so much generosity," said men's hockey coach Ryan Egan.  "I am humbled that we have the opportunity to provide our athletes a once-in-a-lifetime experience to travel to Europe as a team, play three games against top-level European competition, and explore the beautiful country of Italy."  
 
The Cardinals will arrive on campus on Aug. 4 for a five-day training camp, before departing on Aug. 10 for Milan, Italy. The team will spend nine days experiencing Italy — including Venice; the Ruins, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Colosseum in Rome; as well as the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel — before returning home on Aug. 19.